A

adaptation

a physical characteristic that helps an animal use its habitat more efficiently

annulation

the appearance of growth rings in a tooth that is used to determine age

B

biologist

a person who studies living organisms and their relationship to one another

boar

a male bear

broadleaved

a plant which bears broad leaves rather than needles

C

carnivore

an animal that eats meat

carrion

the bodies of dead animals, usually found in nature in the process of decay.

carrying capacity

the number of animals of a given type which can be supported in a given area by enough food an shelter

color phases

blond, tan, brown, cinnamon and black. Various shades of brown, black, white (kermode), and blue (glacier)

conservation

the use of natural resources in a way that assures their continuing availability to future generations

conserve

not to waste

cub

a young bear

D

denning

when an animal heads for its den

dexterous

done with skill

dominance

rule and control

E

endangered bear

any bear population threatened with extinction.

estrus

the period of time when the female will accept the male for breeding

F

ferocious

fierce

fish and game department

the agency responsible for wildlife management

forbs

in wildlife usage, weeds and herbs

G

game animal

legal name for animals which may be managed and hunted only under regulation

garbage bear

a bear that lives close to humans and occasionally feeds on garbage

H

habitat

the arrangement of food, water, shelter and space suitable to animals' needs

herbivore

an animal which eats only plants

hibernation

a state of some animals that occurs when they slow their metabolism, body temperature, and breathing rates to low levels during winter months to help conserve energy

home range

the area in which an animal travels in the scope of normal activities to meet its needs

I

interdependence

the interrelationships of wildlife with one another and with the various elements of their environment

M

metabolize

through a chemical process of the body

multi-chambered

a body organ that has more than one room or space

N

nutrition

the process by which a body uses food

O

omnivore

an animal which eats both plant and animal matter

osteoporosis

a disease of the bones which makes them weak

P

predation

the act of one animal killing another animal for food

predator

an animal that kills for its food

prehensile

the ability to use body parts like a hand to grasp things

R

respiration

the act of breathing

S

sow

a female bear

T

topographic

the hills and valleys of an area

tranquilize

something that makes the body tranquil or calm, sometimes a medication

U

Ursus Americanus

the American black bear

V

vocalizations

sound created with the throat and mouth